Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has vowed that a Sinn Féin-led government will reduce the price of petrol and diesel, offering permanent savings for workers and families grappling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. McDonald emphasized that the proposed cuts would save drivers an average of €7 per fuel tank.
Speaking today, McDonald criticized the current government for its handling of fuel taxes, pointing out that since 2020, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have added €12 to the cost of a tank of fuel. She also claimed the coalition parties plan to raise fuel taxes by another €7 per tank over the next five years, which translates to an additional 12 cents per liter.
“We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, and people are struggling with the basics: food, housing, heating, and fuel to get to work or school,” McDonald said. “Yet, in the midst of this crisis, the government has imposed the highest fuel taxes in Europe and plans to increase them further. Sinn Féin will stop this.”
In addition to cutting fuel prices, McDonald pledged that her party would reverse recent fuel tax hikes. This includes the 6-cent increase to petrol and the 5.5-cent increase to diesel that were introduced in August and October.
Sinn Féin also plans to offset toll increases set to take effect on January 1, at an estimated cost of €8 million, in an effort to ease financial burdens on commuters.
“The cost-of-living crisis is far from over,” McDonald added. “Families are still feeling the squeeze as daily expenses continue to rise. A recent survey found that nearly half of workers are experiencing financial stress. And a report from the Central Statistics Office shows growing concern about financial hardship among households.”
McDonald concluded by urging voters to reject further tax hikes from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. “For the last five years, these parties have been taking money out of your pockets. Give Sinn Féin a chance, and we’ll put money back where it belongs—into your pockets.”
Sinn Féin’s fuel price reduction proposal is the first in a series of measures the party plans to announce this week to provide relief to workers and families still struggling with rising living costs.
Related Topics:
- Why is Diesel More Expensive Than Gasoline Now?
- Is petrol pump always green?
- Does gas last longer if you fill the tank?